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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-5-06MINUTES HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY April 5, 2006 A and B. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairman Michael Gehr called the regular monthly meeting of the Historic District Commission to order on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 at 7:25 p.m. in Conference Room 1 of the Washington County Administrative Annex, 80 West Baltimore Street. Members present included: Michael Gehr, Merry Stinson, Sandra Izer, and David Wiles. Also present were County Commissioner Dori Nipps and Staff members Steve Goodrich and Debra Eckard. C. MINUTES Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the March 1, 2006 minutes as presented. Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. D. COMMUNICATIONS AND BILLS Mr. Goodrich stated that a copy of the index of the latest edition of the Forum Journal was included in the agenda packet. The magazine is available at the Planning Department office for the Commission's review and use. E. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. F. BUDGET None. G. NEW BUSINESS TC-06-001 — Kershner. 811 The Terrace Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval the tax credit application TC-06-001, Kathryn L. Kershner, 811 The Terrace, Hagerstown. The house is located in the City of Hagerstown's Oak Hill Historic District. Members had been provided with the agenda the complete listing of items the applicant was requesting credit for that accompanied the application. Mr. Goodrich reviewed guidelines that should be used in the decision on the application such as the tax credit ordinance, the Secretary of the Interior's guidelines and specific sections of the zoning ordinance. Mr Goodrich distributed an annotated version of the applicants list with those items that in his analysis were eligible for credit. Many items he advised were ineligible because they were in the interior of the structure, completed more than five years before the date of the application or were not restoration, preservation or improvements. Eligible items and repairs included: temporary patches to tile and rubber roofs, demolition of defective tile and rubber roofs, repair of rotten wood, installation of new shingle roof and new rubber roofs, repair of shingle roof and flat roofs, additional roof repairs, repair and putty all windows and doors, replace broken glass, and repair of hinges and latches. The recommended total cost eligible for the tax credit is $39,328.82. Ms. Kershner, stated that when she purchased the house it had a shingled roof that was approximately 30 - 40 years old and needed replaced. She replaced the shingled roof with a terra cotta tile roof determined to be appropriate for the building based on old photographs. The tile roof was defective causing additional damage to the structure and was removed. She has now replaced the tile roof with a shingle roof. Ms. Kershner provided several photographs of the damage and repairs. Commission members debated the appropriateness of the shingle versus tile roof. Although a tile roof appeared to be historically accurate the original had been removed and replaced with shingles. The existing roof is the same color as tile. The current roof does not mislead by pretending to be the original roof and there is only one photograph that is not verified as the showing the original roof material. The current roof functions properly and protects the rest of the building from damage from the elements. Ms. Stinson made a motion to approve tax credits for the items recommended on the annotated list in the amount of $39,328.82 because the preservation and improvements are consistent with Preservation Treatment Guideline #3 and Rehabilitation Guidelines # 3, 5 and 6.(See attachments) The motion was seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. TC-06-002 — Alsip, 806 The Terrace Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval the tax credit application TC-06-002, Lawrence N. Alsip, III, 806 The Terrace, Hagerstown. The house is located in the City of Hagerstown's Oak Hill Historic District. The applicant is requesting tax credits for the following items: repoint/reconstruct existing stonewalls and renovation of the rear porch for a total credit of $15,337.50. Mr. Goodrich noted that the repairs were for the renovation and restoration of the structure and provided photographs of the work. He referred again to the guidance offered by the tax credit ordinance, Secretary of the Interior's Guidelines and the Zoning Ordinance discussed during the previous case review. Ms. Izer stated that she made a site visit to the property and commended the owner for the excellent renovation of the property. She believes that the renovations are consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the tax credit application in the amount of $15,337.50 because the renovations are consistent with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards, specifically Rehabilitation guidelines # 5 and 6 (See attached). Seconded by Ms. Stinson. Unanimously approved. TC-06-003 — Hershey, 18947 Keedysville Road Mr. Goodrich presented for review and approval the tax credit application TC-06-003, Todd L. Hershey, 18947 Keedysville Road, Keedysville. The house is located within the County Historic Preservation Overlay zone that was requested by the owner. The applicant is requesting tax credits for the following items: replacement of existing cedar shake roof with new cedar shake roof - $21,875.00; gutter and downspout replacement with in -kind material - $3,100.00; and in - kind roof window replacements $1,400.00; total credit request $26,375.00. Mr. Hershey presented photographs of the property showing the completed improvements. Ms. Izer commended the owner on outstanding preservation of a Washington County historic structure. Ms. Izer made a motion to approve the tax credit application in the amount of $26,375.00 because the renovations are consistent with the Secretary of Interior's Guidelines #5 and 6(See attached). Seconded by Mr. Wiles. Unanimously approved. State Highway Administration, Project #WA142A21, Maryland 65 at Maryland 68 Mr. Goodrich presented for review and comment State Highway Administration Project WA142A21. The project is'located at the intersection of Maryland Route 65 and Maryland Route 68, also known as Lappans Crossroads, and involves the milling and overlay of a portion of the existing roadway, widening of Maryland 65 to the east to provide for northbound and southbound left turn lanes along Maryland 65, lowering of an existing vertical curve to increase sight distance along northbound Maryland 65 approaching the intersection, and the installation of a roadside swale, closed drainage system and storm water management facilities. The State Highway Administration identified several Washington County historic properties located in the area. However, it is the SHA's findings that none of these historic properties would be adversely affected by the proposed project. Comments: After a brief discussion, Ms. Stinson expressed her opinion that even though several of the historic structures located in the area are not currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, they are on the County's Historic Inventory and represent the history of Washington County. Several of them could be rehabilitated and made eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. She would recommend that the road should not be constructed any closer to the historic properties than its current location. Ms. Izer expressed her opinion that the State Highway Administration did a good job identifying the historic properties in the area and any expansion of the roadways should be well thought out before proceeding. Ms. Stinson made a motion to acknowledge that the affected properties are not eligible for the National Register of Historic Place; however the State Highway Administration should be cognizant of the local historic significance of the properties and should exercise caution and sensitivity during construction to avoid taking any additional right-of-way from these properties. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. State Highway Administration, Project #WA436A21, Maryland 144 at .07 Mile West of Center Street, Hancock Mr. Goodrich presented for review State Highway Administration Project #WA436A21. The project is located at Maryland 144 West at 0.07 mile west of Center Street in Hancock. The State Highway Administration is proposing to expand the existing ridesharing facility with 50 additional parking spaces. The State Highway Administration has determined there is no register eligible sites in the area and therefore, no historic structures would be affected. However, they do acknowledge that the C & O Canal is located nearby. No action required. H. OTHER BUSINESS There was a brief discussion regarding members attending the Historic Preservation training workshop being offered by the Maryland Department of Planning, Maryland Historical Trust in June. This workshop would satisfy training requirements for HDC members. The Maryland Annual Preservation & Revitalization Conference will be held on May 18 and 19, 2006 and is being offered by Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust. Ms. Stinson made a motion to approve the registration for one day, luncheon and mileage expenses, for all interested HDC members to attend the Maryland Annual Conference, as the budget would allow. Seconded by Ms. Izer. Unanimously approved. I. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. J. ADJOURNMENT. Ms. Stinson made a motion to adjourn at 8:48 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Izer. So ordered. Ttep9hen'T.'Goodrich tuly b tted,�� � �C�wt Chief Planner STG/dse